On April 25, 2005, a Cessna 180 (registration N4563B) operated by Gary R. Larose was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane nosing over. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind, and an inadvertent ground loop. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tailwheel airplane equipped with tundra tires experienced a loss of directional control during landing on a dry paved runway, resulting in a ground loop and nose-over, causing substantial damage.
Accident Summary
The commercial pilot of a tailwheel airplane equipped with tundra tires reported that during landing on a dry, paved runway, the airplane bounced slightly and then settled onto the right main tire. There was a slight crosswind from the right. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane departed the runway to the left. It then ground looped to the left and nosed over.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Weather Conditions
A weather observation taken at the time of the accident consisted of clear sky conditions, visibility of 10 statute miles, and wind from 280 degrees magnetic at 5 knots.